Despite huge investment since the takeover by Todd Boehly back in May 2022, Chelsea will undoubtedly be in the market for another defender this summer.
Mauricio Pochettino's side have conceded 57 goals in the Premier League this season, including five against rivals Arsenal earlier this week, with the club showing signs of fragility in the defensive department.
Current centre-backs Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashle cost the club £38.5m and £35m respectively, with experienced defender Thiago Silva set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, as per journalist Fabrizio Romano.
However, the club could've saved themselves from further spending had they kept hold of one talent, who's excelled in the Premier League since his departure from the Blues.
Nathan Ake's stats at Chelsea
29-year-old Nathan Ake was a Chelsea player between July 2011, when he signed from Feyenoord, originally joining the club's youth setup, to July 2017, when he left to join Bournemouth in a permanent deal worth around £20m.
During the vast majority of his time at Stamford Bridge, he was either out on loan or featuring for various of the Blues' youth sides.
However, the Dutchman made his Premier League debut for the Blues during the 2012/13 campaign, featuring three times for a total of just 90 minutes.
2012/13
3
90'
2013/14
1
11'
2014/15
1
17'
2016/17
2
98'
Following just two appearances in two seasons, he would move on loan to Watford, starting 24 games in the Premier League for the Hornets, but it wasn't enough for Ake to force his way into the Blues first-team.
The centre-back would depart Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017, joining the Cherries – in a move that would allow him to excel in England's top flight.
Nathan Ake's market value in 2024
Nearly seven years on from his Chelsea departure, Ake has thrived more than anyone could have anticipated, becoming a regular part of Manchester City's starting lineup, making 41 appearances last season as the club won the treble. He's already made 39 this season as they fight to win the Premier League for the sixth time in seven years.
Pep Guardiola's side paid the Cherries a huge £41m for Ake's signature, which at the time seemed like a steep figure, but he's proved to be worth every penny, as demonstrated by his appearances for the club in recent seasons.
The "unbelievable" star, as described by teammate Jack Grealish, has seen his market value skyrocket in recent months, with the Dutchman now worth £51m, as per Football Observatory.
His subsequent figure is £17m more than current Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, who's now only valued at £34m after his awful luck with injuries throughout this season.
Ake would certainly stroll into the club's current starting lineup, with the Dutchman also having the versatility to fill in at left-back – a position that has caused the club multiple problems with Ben Chilwell's continuous struggles with injury.
With the likes of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill also sidelined to further deplete the defensive ranks, it is easy to see how Ake would smoothly slot into Pochettino's injury-ravaged squad in the present day, had he never been sold.
Every Chelsea fan will be wishing they kept hold of the defender given his recent form for the Premier League champions, with the club still paying the price for Antonio Conte's decision to offload the 29-year-old during his tenure as Blues boss.
Chelsea set to strike gold by selling "special" star for 31,478% profit
He cost them just £94k and could now leave Stamford Bridge for a big fee.
ByJoe NuttallApr 26, 2024
